Ten students on the International Business and Management MSc (IBM) course travelled to the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT), Sri Lanka for a five-day study trip funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust.
Between 2 -7 May, students embarked on a collaborative project, titled Co-Creating and Presenting an Innovative App-Based Solution to Solve the Problem of Invisibility of the Global South Brands, led by Lecturer Deborah Rose and Director of Teaching, Learning and Quality Dr Sumita Ketkar and Assistant Head of School Dr Rebecca Wang.
This project draws upon a long-standing partnership between University of Westminster and the Informatics Institute of Technology in Sri Lanka. A significant focus of the study trip was to explore how to use technology and branding to address systemic barriers to visibility, influence and success.
During the trip, the Westminster IBM students and Computer Science and Software Engineering students from IIT formed interdisciplinary teams and worked together to develop business-to-business (B2B) apps focused on branding for organic honey and fresh coffee. Through this process, students from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds learned to work together in an inclusive and collaborative manner and enhance communication, employability and cross-cultural skills.
On the first day, after an icebreaker activity and a briefing on the project, student teams discussed the profiles of key customers and sketched out their B2B app plans with brand logs. During this process teams also obtained constructive feedback from the Dean of the School of Computing at IIT. At the close of the project on the second day, each team delivered a presentation that encompassed the project brief, from logo creation and branding to transparency and product validation, app prototype design and recommendations for future development. During the trip students also had the opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of Sri Lanka, including a tour of the capital city Colombo.
Speaking about the impact of the trip, IMB student Zaminhussain Munjee said: "From an employability standpoint, this collaboration offered profound insights into real-world dynamics, fostering efficient cooperation with international counterparts and underscoring the significance of cultivating professional relationships expeditiously. Our time at IIT Colombo was inspiring, marked by a spirit of creativity, innovation, and a shared dedication to effecting positive change. Collaborating with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds reaffirmed my belief in the potency of collective creativity and cooperation.”
Dr Rebecca Wang said: “This project significantly contributed to the University of Westminster’s Global Engagement priorities, experiential learning and employability strategies. The success of the study trip not only reflects the excellent ongoing collaboration developed between the University of Westminster and IIT, but also the collective efforts of a wide range of faculty and the commitment and enthusiasm of a fantastic group of students.”
Deborah Rose said: "It was wonderful to witness the collaboration between students and staff as they uncovered app-based solutions for products from the Global South striving to establish themselves as recognizable brands. Students experienced a transformative shift in mindset and saw their skillsets expand as they managed and developed a working app prototype. We eagerly anticipate sharing their app demo and the next steps in this exciting project."
This study trip directly contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnerships for Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about courses in Business and Management at the University of Westminster.
